Cashier{40 s booth

ABSTRACT

Apparatus is provided to discriminate between authorized and unauthorized persons for permitting only authorized persons to operate a cash register. In its preferred form, the apparatus comprises a bullet-proof booth which encloses the register and which has a platform mounted on springs for displacement downwardly when a person stands on the platform to operate the register. Switch means provided below the platform cooperates with circuit means to supply power to the register only when a door to the booth is closed and to prevent electrical power from being supplied to the register when the weight of the person on the platform does not correspond to a preset authorized weight, or when an attempt is made to straddle the platform. In addition, photoelectric switches and light beams are provided in the booth to discriminate between the height of authorized and unauthorized persons. Embodiments are disclosed wherein access to the receptacle is afforded when either height, weight or weight and door-closure conditions are met.

United States Patent [191 Robinson 51 Oct. 29, 1974 CASHHER'S BOOTH [76]Inventor: James L. Robinson, 4706 Hazel Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19143[22] Filed: Sept. 4, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 394,132

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.219,426, Jan. 20,

1972, abandoned.

Primary ExaminerDennis L. Taylor Attorney, Agent, or Firm1-lowson &Howson [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus is provided to discriminate betweenauthorized and unauthorized persons for permitting only authorizedpersons to operate a cash register. In its preferred form, the apparatuscomprises a bullet-proof booth which encloses the register and which hasa platform mounted on springs for displacement downwardly when a personstands on the platform to operate the register. Switch means providedbelow the platform cooperates with circuit means to supply power to theregister only when a door to the booth is closed and to preventelectrical power from being supplied to the register when the weight ofthe person on the platform does not correspond to a preset authorizedweight, or when an attempt is made to straddle the platform. Inaddition, photoelectric switches and light beams are provided in thebooth to discriminate between the height of authorized and unauthorizedpersons.

Embodiments are disclosed wherein access to the receptacle is affordedwhen either height, weight or weight and door-closure conditions aremet.

15 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED [m 29 1914 SIEEI 1 0f 3 FIGI.

CASHIER'S BOOTH The present application is a continuation-in-part ofcopending application Ser. No. 219,426, filed on Jan. 20, I972, nowabandoned, for a Cashiers Booth.

The present invention relates to theft-prevention apparatus, and moreparticularly, the present invention relates to apparatus for use inconjunction with a cash register to permit only authorized persons tooperate the register.

At present, it is uncommon for business places such as drug stores,taverns, real-estate offices, and the like, in certain high-crime" areasto be robbed frequently, often by armed robbers. As a result, businessesin these areas sometimes find it difficult to obtain theft insurance,and in many instances they are forced to become self-insurers. In mostbusiness establishments, the cash register is located as to be readilyaccessible to clerks authorized to operate the register; however, thesame ready accessibility renders the establishment susceptable of beingrobbed successfully.

With the foregoing in mind, it is the primary object of the presentinvention to provide means for permitting a cash register to be operatedonly by authorized persons.

It is another object of the present invention to provide apparatus foruse in conjunction with a cash register to discriminate automaticallybetween persons authorized to have access to the register and personsnot so authorized and to permit the register to be operated by onlythose authorized.

It is a further object of the present invention to pro vide means fordiscriminating between persons authorized and unauthorized to haveaccess to a receptacle for valuables by comparing the weight of theperson seeking access with a preset authorized weight and/or bycomparing the height of the person seeking access with a presetauthorized height.

As a still further object, the present invention provides apparatuswhich permits an authorized person to have access to a cash registeronly when standing in a bullet-proof booth containing the register sothat he is there safe from physical harm and able to resist a robbersdemands.

More specifically, the present invention provides apparatus for use inconjunction with an electricallyoperated cash register to permit onlyauthorized persons to obtain access to the register. The apparatuscomprises a vertically-movable platform, means mounting the registersufficiently close to the platform to require a person to stand on theplatform when using the register, switch means cooperable with theplatform, and circuit means to supply power to the register to permitthe same to be opened only when the platform is displaced downwardly apredetermined distance by the weight of a person on the platform and theswitch means is contacted. The switch means is pre-set to the weight ofa person authorized to have access to the register, and the switch meansis adjustable to operate in a preselected range with respect to thepre-set weight to compensate for normal variatons in the weight of theauthorized person. In addition, there is provided means to detect theheight of the person seeking access for permitting access only when bothweight and height conditions are met; however, embodiments are disclosedwherein the meeting of either height or weight-responsive conditions arerequired to open the register. In order to prevent a thief from forcingan authorized person to stand on the platform, a bullet-proof boothsurrounds the platform and register, and, additional switch means isconnected in the circuit to permit the register to open only when a doorto the booth is closed. The booth is sized to receive only one person;however, to prevent a thief from straddling the platform by supportinghimself on the inside of the booth when a person of an authorized weightis on the platform, the booth is mounted on springs for displacementrelative to the platform, and normally closed switch means cooperateswith the booth and the circuit to interrupt power to the register upondownward displacement of the booth.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention should become apparent from the following description whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view with portions broken away of a cashiersbooth embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a lower portion ofthe booth illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged perspective view of a portion of anadjustable switch assembly employed in the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a reduced front elevational view of the booth of the presentinvention having portions broken away to illustrate heightdiscrimination means;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an electrical circuit associated withthe present invention; which requires height, weight, door-closure and anon-straddling condition of a platform to be met before a receptaclelocated adjacent the platform may be opened;

FIG. 5a is a schematic diagram of a portion of the circuit illustratedin FIG. 5 but wherein only weight conditions must be met before accessto the receptacle is permitted; and

FIG. 5b is a schematic diagram similar to FIG. 5a but of a circuit whichrequires both weight and doorclosure conditions to be met before accessto the receptacle is permitted.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. I, acashiers booth l0 embodying the present invention. As illustratedtherein, the booth 10 is about the size of a conventional telephonebooth, i.e., large enough to contain a person comfortably in a standingposition. The walls of the booth 10 are constructed of upstanding studs11, ll nailed at their bases to a horizontally-disposed nailer l2 and attheir tops to a similarly-disposed nailer which is not shown. Theinterior of the booth 10 may be paneled as at 13 to provide a finishedappearance; however, paneling is not necessary. The exterior of thebooth is sheathed by a layer of steel 14 of sufficient thickness (about3/16 inch) to stop or at least greatly retard a bullet. The steel 14 iscovered by a layer of plaster board 15, and the plaster board 15 iscovered by an exterior layer of material 16 such as wood paneling,plaster, or the like, depending on the environment in which the booth 10is to be installed and the desired aesthetics to be achieved. The top 17of the booth 10 is similarly constructed, and a fan 18 and lamp (notshown) are mounted in the top of the booth to provide both ventilationand illumination. Access to and from the booth is provided by means of adoor 19, constructed generally along the lines of the walls of the boothl0.

A receptacle such as an electrically-operated cash register 2f) isprovided in the booth 141, and the register is mounted in the booth 111at an elevation as to be conveniently accessible by a person standing ona platform 21 forming the floor of the booth. In order to permit aperson to receive and dispense cash while in the booth, a window 23 ofbullet-proof glass is provided, and a depository 24 is provided belowthe window 23. With this structure, a person standing inside the booth10 with the door 19 closed is free from the threat of physical harm, andis thereby able to resist a robbers demands with impunity.

In order to prevent a robber from entering the booth 10 and operatingthe register 20, the present invention provides means to discriminatebetween a robber and a person authorized to operate the register 20. Tothis end, the platform 21 is mounted for vertical displacement inresponse to weight thereon, and discriminating means responsive to thedisplacement of the platform is provided. As best seen in FIG. 2, theplatform 21 is mounted for vertical displacement by means of a series offour springs 25,25 spaced apart below the platform 21 and engagingbetween the underside of the platform 21 and a datum such as wooden base27. In order to prevent the platform 21 from tilting when a personstands other than centrally thereon, for instance, when entering thebooth 1% through the door 19, there is provided a bearing assembly 28associated with each spring. A typical bearing assembly 28 comprises avertically disposed post 29 depending from the platform 21 andtelescopically received in an upstanding hollow sleeve 30 mounted on thebase 27. The sleeve 30 is slotted longitudinally at 31, and a pin 32extending transversely to the post 29 engages in the slot 31 andoperates to limit displacement of the platform 21 away from the base 27.If desired, shock-absorber means may be provided between the platform 21and the base 27 to dampen any tendency for the platform to oscillateafter a sudden application of weight, for example, when a personinitially enters the booth 10, or in response to normal movement on theplatform 21.

For the purpose of supplying power to the register 20 in response to apredetermined downward displacement of the platform 21, as determined bythe weight of a person standing thereon, circuit means 40 such asillustrated in FIG. 4 is provided and a switch assembly 41 (FIG. 2) isprovided beneath the platform 21 and is connected in the circuit 40. Inthe present instance, the circuit 40 includes a transformer 42 havingits primary windings connected across a power supply, such as 120 VAC,and its secondary windings connected in a lowvoltage circuit, such as a12 VAC circuit 40"(FIG. 5). The low-voltage circuit includes anormally-open switch 39, a normally-closed switch 43, and the switchassembly 41, connected in series relation with the coil of a double polerelay CRI. One set of contacts of the relay CRI is connected across the120 VAC supply and in series relation with the cash register 20. Thus,when the switches 39, 41 and 43 are closed, the coil of the relay CRI isenergized and the contacts of the relay CRI are closed to supply powerto the cash register 20 (as well as the fan and light) to permit thecash register 20 to be operated in the customary manner. Conversely,opening of either switch 39, 41 or 43 causes the coil of the relay CRIto be deenergized, and the relay contacts to open for interrupting powerto the register and the fan and light. In order to permit access to theregister 20 only when weight conditions are met, the lowvoltage circuit40a of FIG. 5 is modified along the lines of the circuit 140aillustrated in FIG. 5a. In this circuit, power is supplied to the coilof the relay CR, when the weight-responsive switch member 44 engages oneof the contacts 46,46. In order to permit the register 20 to be openedwhen weight conditions are met and the door 19 is closed, the circuit240a illustrated in FIG. 5b is provided. In this circuit, power issupplied to the coil of the relay CR, when the weight-responsive switchmember 44 engages one of the contacts 46,46 and the switch 39 is closed.

In the preferred embodiment, the switch 39 is of the magnetic proximitytype and is mounted in the door 19 and its jamb as illustrated in FIG. 1to close only when the door 19 is closed so that, one of the conditionsfor causing power to be supplied to the cash register 20 is that thedoor 19 must be closed. The other condition which must be met beforepower is supplied to the cash register 20 is that the weight of theperson standing on the platform in the booth must be within apredetermined range of the weight of the person authorized to operatethe register. To this end, the switch assembly 41 includes a contact 44mounted on a post 45 depending from the underside of the platform 21 andone or more, in the present instance three, complementary contactmembers 46,46 mounted in vertically spaced relation on an upstandingpost 47 on the base 27. As best seen in FIG. 3, each member 44 comprisesa bored collar portion 44a slidably engaging the post 45, a thumbscrew44b for frictional locking the collar 44a to the post 45, and a flexibleleaf 440. The complementary contact members 46,46 are secured to theirrespective post 47 at elevations which cause their leafs 46c,46c toengage the leaf 460 of the member 44 when a predetermined weight isapplied on the platform 21 and the platform 21 moves downwardly. Byadjusting the elevation of the members 46,46 relative to the member 44the displacement distance of the platform 21, which corresponds to theweight thereon, may be preset to the weight of the person authorized tooperate the register 21. Thus, only when both conditions are met, i.e.,the door 19 is closed and the preset weight is on the platform can theregister 20 be operated. In the event that the door 19 is closed but theweight on the platform 21 is greater or lesser than the preset weight,the leafs 44c and 460 disengage one another to prevent the coil of therelay CRI from being energized. In the illustrated embodiment, theswitch assembly 41 comprises three contact members 46 on the post 47 topermit three persons, each of a different weight, to operate the cashregister 20.

It is known that a persons weight may tend to vary day to day and thatsuch daily variations may amount to one or more pounds. In order toenable the switch assembly 41 to compensate for such variations, theleafs 44c and 460 are flexible, and the leaf 440 is mounted in thecollar 44a by means of a friction lock 44d to permit the leaf 440 to beadjusted in a direction transverse to the path of movement of theplatform 21. The amount of overlap of the complementary leaf members 44cand 46c determines the range of weight variation with respect to thepreset magnitude. For instance, when the leaf 440 is adjusted so thatthe overlap with the leaf 460 is slight, the leafs will disengage oneanother in response to a relatively small increase in weight above thepreset magnitude. When the leaf 44c is adjusted so that the overlap withthe leaf 46c is greater, the leafs will remain engaged with one anotherfor a greater amount of downward displacement of the platform 21corresponding to a greater increase in weight above the presetmagnitude. Thus, it should be apparent that by adjusting the amount ofoverlap of the leafs 44c and 46c, the sensitivity of the apparatus tovariations in weight about a preset magnitude can be adjusted.

It is conceivable that a robber may attempt to enter the booth with anauthorized person in an attempt to meet both of the aforementionedconditions for obtaining access to the register 20. However, the weightof two people on the platform would be so excessive as to cause theleafs 44c and 460 to disengage one another, thus preventing the platformweight condition from being met. If, however, an enterprising robbershould attempt to straddle the platform 21 in an effort to reduce theload on the platform 21, the switch means 43 in the circuit of FIG. 4prevents power from being supplied to the register 20. To this end, asbest seen in FIG. I, the switch 43 is connected between the nailer 12 ofthe booth 10 and the base 27. The switch 43 includes complementarymembers 43a and 43b which normally engage one another to perform thefunction of a normally-closed switch when connected in the circuit 40.Like the platform 21, the booth 10 is mounted for vertical movement on aseries of springs 51,51 and a bearing assembly 52 (FIG. 2) comprising anupstanding post 53 secured to the base 27 and a sleeve 54 in the bottomnailer 12 is associated with each spring 51 to prevent tilting of thebooth 10. Thus, downward displacement of the booth 10 relative to thebase 27 causes the switch 43 to open to prevent energization of relayCRI and to prevent power from being supplied to the register 20. It isnoted, however, that unlike the bearing assemblies associated with theplatform, the post 53 of each bearing assembly 52 projects upwardly intothe walls of the booth 10. Accordingly, in instances where the boothdoes not have interior paneling, it is necessary to provide a cap 55over the ends of each post 53 to prevent a robber from foiling theapparatus by standing on the posts 53,53.

In addition to the weight conditions which must be met before a personcan obtain access to the register 20, the present invention alsoprovides in the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 and 5, means todiscriminate between the height of authorized and unauthorized persons.To this end, there is provided in the booth l0, emitter means 65a toproject upper and lower beams of light B1 and B2, respectively, acrossthe booth 10 in front of the register 20. Receiver means 65b is providedto receive the beams B and B on the other side of the booth. The upperbeam B, is located so as to clear the top of the head of an authorizedperson when standing on the platform 21, and the lower beam B is locatedas to be interrupted by the head of the person when standing on theplatform. The receiver 65b includes an internal normally-open switch 650wired in series with one of the switch members 44 (FIG. 4), and theswitch 650 is operable to close only when the upper beam B is unbrokenand the lower beam B is broken. Thus, both weight and height conditionsmust be met before the register is energized. If more than one person isto be authorized to use the booth 10, additional beam emitters andreceivers may be employed and mounted at corresponding elevations in thebooth 10. In such event, the internal switch of each additional receiveris wired in series with the weight-responsive switch member 44 of thecorresponding person to ensure energization of the register 20 only whena person of both the proper height and weight is standing on theplatform 21.

In order to conceal the circuits, switches and the like, a skirt 57 isprovided around the lower portion of the booth 10 to cooperate with theplatform 21 and base 27 to provide a chamber 58. Power to the apparatusis supplied to a junction box (not shown) which may be located in thechamber 58. Preferably, the cash register 20 is permanently wired intothe booth 10 by means of armored cable 59 (FIG. I) to prevent a robberfrom attempting to by-pass the system by utilizing an extension cord. Alockable hatch 60 is provided in the skirt 57 to provideaccess to theapparatus in the chamber 58 for permitting the same to be initially andperiodically adjusted and maintained while preventing unauthorizedaccess to the chamber 58. If desired, a toggle switch 61 (FIG. 4) may beprovided in the booth l0 and wired in the circuit 40 to an exterioralarm to permit a person to summon aid while inside the booth 10.

In use, the booth 10 is installed in a business establishment at alocation which is convenient to clerks authorized to operate the cashregister 20. The switch assembly 41 is adjusted to operate in responseto the weight of an authorized person by moving one of the members 46,46either upwardly or downwardly until its leaf 46c engages the leaf 44c ofits complementary member 44. Preferably, such adjustment is effectedaccurately with the person standing on the platform 21. Of course, ifmore persons of different weights are to be authorized to operate theregister 20, the other switch members 46 may be similarly adjusted.

In using the apparatus, an authorized clerk simply enters the booth l0and closes the door 19 to operate the cash register 20 in the customarymanner. The clerk may then pass change or the like through thedepository 24, or after the clerk has made a deposit or obtained thedesired change from the register 20, he may then close the register 20and exit the booth 10 to resume his normal duties.

In the event of a robbery attempt, the robber would not be able tooperate the cash register 20, except in the extremely unlikely eventthat his weight and height is substantially the same as one of the storeclerks authorized to operate the register. If he were to force anauthorized clerk to enter the booth 10, it would be necessary for theclerk to close the door 19 before the register 20 could be opened.However, once the door 19 is closed the clerk would be safe from harmand he could resist the robbers demands with impunity, since the door 19is lockable from inside the booth 10. If the robber were to attempt toenter the booth 10 with the authorized person, in spite of the smallsize of the booth, the switch assembly 44 would open if both stood onthe platform 21. In the event that the robber were to attempt tostraddle the platform 21, the booth 10 would move downwardly and theswitch 43 would open to prevent power from being supplied to theregister 20.

In view of the foregoing, it should be apparent that novel apparatus hasnow been provided for permitting only authorized persons to have accessto a cash register and for preventing unauthorized persons fromobtaining access to the register whether by themselves or by forcing anauthorized person to grant them access. in one embodiment, access to areceptacle is afforded when a weight and door-closure conditions aremet. In another embodiment, the control circuit is modified so thataccess is afforded when only a weight condition is met. in a furtherembodiment, a height-responsive condition is required to be met inaddition to weight and door-closure conditions.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been describedin detail, various modifications, alterations and changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention asdescribed in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for use in conjunction with a receptacle for valuables topermit only authorized persons to obtain access to the receptacle,comprising: a platform, means mounting said receptacle at a locationwith respect to said platform to require a person to support himself onthe platform when obtaining access to the receptacle, and meansresponsive to weight on said platform for permitting access to saidreceptacle when a predetermined authorized weight is applied to saidplatform and for preventing access to said receptacle when unauthorizedweights different from said predetermined weight are applied to saidplatform, whereby access to the receptacle is permitted only by anauthorized person having a weight corresponding to the preset authorizedweight.

2. Apparatus according to claim I wherein said weight responsive meansincludes means mounting said platform for vertical displacement withrespect to a datum and control means engageable upon a predetermineddownward displacement of said platform with respect to the datum topermit access to said receptacle.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 including electrically-operated meansproviding access to said receptacle and wherein said control meansincludes a circuit connecting said electrically-operated means to anelectrical power supply, and a switch connected in said circuit forclosing said circuit to supply power to said electrically-operated meanswhen said authorized weight is on said platform and to prevent powerfrom being supplied to said electrically-operated means when saidunauthorized weights are on said platform.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said switch means includes aswitch member carried on said platform and a complementary member fixedwith respect to said datum and located in the path of movement of saidswitch member, said members being connected in said circuit and beingengageable to complete the circuit upon a predetermined displacement ofsaid platform in response to the application of said authorized weight,at least one of said members being flexible to permit said members todisengage one another when a greater than authorized weight is appliedon said platform and said platform-carried member is displaceddownwardly below its complementary member.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 including means mounting one of saidmembers for displacement transversely to the path of movement of saidplatform to permit the range of contact of said members to be varied toensure engagement of said members over a limited range of weights in thevicinity of said preset authorized weight, whereby the apparatus isinsensitive to slight changes in the normal weight of a personauthorized to have access to the receptacle.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 including at least anothercomplementary switch member associated with said one complementarymember, and including common post means mounting said complementarymembers at different elevations with respect to said datum to cause saidplatform-mounted member to effect engagement with a selected one of thecomplementary members depending on the displacement of the platform asdetermined by the weight applied thereon.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 including heightresponsive switchmeans connected in series with each of said complementary members insaid circuit, means to detect the height of a person on the platform,and means coupling said height-responsive switch means with said heightdetection means in said circuit to cause said electrically-energizedmeans to be powered only when both height and weight conditions are met.

8. Apparatus according to claim 3 including means providing abullet-proof enclosure surrounding said platform and receptacle, a doorproviding access to said enclosure, and a second normally open switchcon nected in said circuit in series relation with said firstmentionedswitch and closeable in response to closing of said door, so that accessto said receptacle is permitted only when both switches are closed.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 including means mounting saidenclosure for displacement downwardly relative to said platform anddatum and including third normally-closed switch means connected in saidcircuit and between said enclosure and said datum to disable saidelectrically-operated means in response to downward displacement of saidenclosure, so that access to the receptacle by an unauthorized personcannot be effected by his straddling the platform in the enclosure whenan authorized person is on the platform.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 including a skirt surrounding a lowerportion of said enclosure for telescopically receiving said enclosure,said skirt cooperating with said platform and datum to define a chamberwith said platform-operated and enclosure-operated switches beingmounted in said chamber, and including a hatch in said skirt providing aservice access to said chamber.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said platform mounting meansincludes a series of spring elements located in said chamber andsupporting said platform at spaced locations and bearing meansassociated with each of said spring elements to prevent said platformfrom tilting when a weight is applied at a location other than centrallyon the platform.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein spring elements includecompression springs engaging between said platform and said datum tobias said platform away from said datum, and said bearing means includesa vertically-disposed post, depending from said platform and toward saiddatum, a sleeve mounted on said datum and slidably engaging said post,and means limiting axial displacement of said post upwardly relative tosaid sleeve so that in the absence of weight on the platform, theplatform is maintained by the springs at a predetermined elevation withrespect to the datum.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1 including means to detect the heightof a person standing on the platon the platform, and including receivermeans operable when the upper beam is unbroken and the lower beam isbroken to permit access to the receptacle.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1 including means providing anenclosure around said platform, a door affording entry and egress to andfrom said enclosure, and means operable in response to a closed positionof said door and cooperable with said weight responsive means to affordaccess to said receptacle.

1. Apparatus for use in conjunction with a receptacle for valuables topermit only authorized persons to obtain access to the receptacle,comprising: a platform, means mounting said receptacle at a locationwith respect to said platform to require a person to support himself onthe platform when obtaining access to the receptacle, and meansresponsive to weight on said platform for permitting access to saidreceptacle when a predetermined auThorized weight is applied to saidplatform and for preventing access to said receptacle when unauthorizedweights different from said predetermined weight are applied to saidplatform, whereby access to the receptacle is permitted only by anauthorized person having a weight corresponding to the preset authorizedweight.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said weight responsivemeans includes means mounting said platform for vertical displacementwith respect to a datum and control means engageable upon apredetermined downward displacement of said platform with respect to thedatum to permit access to said receptacle.
 3. Apparatus according toclaim 2 including electrically-operated means providing access to saidreceptacle and wherein said control means includes a circuit connectingsaid electrically-operated means to an electrical power supply, and aswitch connected in said circuit for closing said circuit to supplypower to said electrically-operated means when said authorized weight ison said platform and to prevent power from being supplied to saidelectrically-operated means when said unauthorized weights are on saidplatform.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said switch meansincludes a switch member carried on said platform and a complementarymember fixed with respect to said datum and located in the path ofmovement of said switch member, said members being connected in saidcircuit and being engageable to complete the circuit upon apredetermined displacement of said platform in response to theapplication of said authorized weight, at least one of said membersbeing flexible to permit said members to disengage one another when agreater than authorized weight is applied on said platform and saidplatform-carried member is displaced downwardly below its complementarymember.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4 including means mounting oneof said members for displacement transversely to the path of movement ofsaid platform to permit the range of contact of said members to bevaried to ensure engagement of said members over a limited range ofweights in the vicinity of said preset authorized weight, whereby theapparatus is insensitive to slight changes in the normal weight of aperson authorized to have access to the receptacle.
 6. Apparatusaccording to claim 4 including at least another complementary switchmember associated with said one complementary member, and includingcommon post means mounting said complementary members at differentelevations with respect to said datum to cause said platform-mountedmember to effect engagement with a selected one of the complementarymembers depending on the displacement of the platform as determined bythe weight applied thereon.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6 includingheight-responsive switch means connected in series with each of saidcomplementary members in said circuit, means to detect the height of aperson on the platform, and means coupling said height-responsive switchmeans with said height detection means in said circuit to cause saidelectrically-energized means to be powered only when both height andweight conditions are met.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 3 includingmeans providing a bullet-proof enclosure surrounding said platform andreceptacle, a door providing access to said enclosure, and a secondnormally open switch connected in said circuit in series relation withsaid first-mentioned switch and closeable in response to closing of saiddoor, so that access to said receptacle is permitted only when bothswitches are closed.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8 including meansmounting said enclosure for displacement downwardly relative to saidplatform and datum and including third normally-closed switch meansconnected in said circuit and between said enclosure and said datum todisable said electrically-operated means in response to downwarddisplacement of said enclosure, so that access to the receptacle by anunauthorized person cannot be effected by his sTraddling the platform inthe enclosure when an authorized person is on the platform. 10.Apparatus according to claim 9 including a skirt surrounding a lowerportion of said enclosure for telescopically receiving said enclosure,said skirt cooperating with said platform and datum to define a chamberwith said platform-operated and enclosure-operated switches beingmounted in said chamber, and including a hatch in said skirt providing aservice access to said chamber.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 10wherein said platform mounting means includes a series of springelements located in said chamber and supporting said platform at spacedlocations and bearing means associated with each of said spring elementsto prevent said platform from tilting when a weight is applied at alocation other than centrally on the platform.
 12. Apparatus accordingto claim 11 wherein spring elements include compression springs engagingbetween said platform and said datum to bias said platform away fromsaid datum, and said bearing means includes a vertically-disposed post,depending from said platform and toward said datum, a sleeve mounted onsaid datum and slidably engaging said post, and means limiting axialdisplacement of said post upwardly relative to said sleeve so that inthe absence of weight on the platform, the platform is maintained by thesprings at a predetermined elevation with respect to the datum. 13.Apparatus according to claim 1 including means to detect the height of aperson standing on the platform for cooperating with said weightresponsive means to permit access to the receptacle only when authorizedheight and weight conditions are met.
 14. Apparatus according to claim13 wherein said height detection means includes means to emit upper andlower horizontally-extending vertically-spaced light beams at anelevation above the platform corresponding to the height of anauthorized person, the upper beam normally passing over the head of theperson and the lower being interrupted by the person while on theplatform, and including receiver means operable when the upper beam isunbroken and the lower beam is broken to permit access to thereceptacle.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 1 including means providingan enclosure around said platform, a door affording entry and egress toand from said enclosure, and means operable in response to a closedposition of said door and cooperable with said weight responsive meansto afford access to said receptacle.